The Nucla Town Board of Trustees met Sept. 24 in a regular meeting, with the agenda running rather quickly. Trustees accepted David Johnson’s resignation as town trustee. Two week ago, Scott Barnes also resigned. Now, the board must appoint two new trustees to fill those vacancies, which are volunteer and unpaid.
Jessica Davis, deputy clerk, will replace Town Clerk/Manager Melissa Lampshire. The board voted unanimously for Davis. Lampshire told the Forum, the following day, Sept. 25, her last day will be Oct. 9, but she’ll advise and support Davis as needed after that.
The town must now hire for Davis’ job, and also a code enforcement officer, since Brooke Smith resigned at the end of summer.
Trustees approved the fifth payment request to Williams Construction in the amount of $47,926.05 for work on town infrastructure.
Trustees agreed to approve the special event, the Heritage Festival, on Oct. 4. This is the ninth annual Heritage Festival, also known as the apple festival.
“They’ve never had any problems,” Lampshire told trustees.
Trustees revisited the right-of-way permit at 5th and Main streets, where Clearnetworx is aiming to lay fiber. There were questions about the length of time the process would take. The permit was approved, but trustees want answers on time completion and a two-year warranty.
Trustees decided to table the $17,000 payment to Summit Engineering for the alternate diversion point on the San Miguel River. They need clarification from the CC Ditch Company at the board’s Oct. 7 meeting. After discussion, trustees will make a decision. They’re planning for the Town of Naturita to share that cost.
Trustees must figure out what to do with $42,500 left in funding from the $50,000 donated by Montrose County Community Partnership Fund. Lampshire said already $7,500 went to nonprofits: West End Sheriff’s Posse, West End Family Link and West End Visitor Center. The balance could be put toward the Summit Engineering payment, or it could go to water and sewer upgrades.
Mayor Paula Brown said the scoping of the main line for water is important, and the town needs to know its condition. Lampshire said it’s possible to tell the county the money will be used for water improvements. She confirmed with the Forum Sept. 25 the funds will be used for water infrastructure and the community center.
The town will go for a Telluride Foundation community grant to support appliances at the Nucla Community Center. They’ll ask for as much as $9,100 to pay for things like a new walk-in refrigerator, dishwasher, on-demand water heater and a three-basin sink. Lampshire said she’s looking at commercial-grade items, but she could also look at auctions, for which restaurants sell things when they go out of business. The grant deadline is Sept. 29.
Additionally, the town will go for a Region 10 grant to support other community center improvements.
Mustang Water will hold another joint meeting with both towns, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. at Nucla Community Center. Brown would like for board members to attend from both communities to make for the best possible, most inclusive discussion.
In her last few weeks of work, Lampshire is working on the Nucla town budget for next year. She let trustees know that different insurance costs have gone up. Trustees can view the budget at the Oct. 8 meeting.
Trustee Penni Philbrick asked about cottonwood trees being cut at 7th and Herron streets. Lampshire said that wasn’t the town’s doing and it must have been a citizen.
The board went into executive session regarding the proposed cell tower. No information has been released since, and trustees said the conversation was protected by attorney-client privilege. They did say they were determining the position and possible new location.
The Forum asked the mayor and town manager Sept. 25 about any information and when the public would know.
